The “Monday Night Football” game between the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens peaked at 25.4 million viewers, making it the fourth most-watched MNF game since 2006.
ESPN announced Wednesday that Monday’s Lions-Ravens game averaged an audience of 22.8 million viewers across ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes and NFL+, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel.
The 2023 Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City generated a larger audience for a Monday night game, as well as two other 2023 games. According to Nielsen, this year’s matchup between the Eagles and Chiefs was the most-watched telecast, at 33.8 million viewers, since the Super Bowl.
Two other 2023 games produced by ESPN also drew larger audiences than Lions-Ravens: Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers (Christmas) and Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys.
Lions-Ravens peaked at 25.4 million viewers in the first half and ESPN found that the “Peyton and Eli (Manning)” broadcast on ESPN2 drew a 6% larger audience than Week 1.
Lions Defense Was Able to Contain Lamar Jackson As Best You Can
Viewers watched coach Dan Campbell’s Lions (2-1) hold on to escape with a 38-30 victory after punishing Ravens ‘ Lamar Jackson .
Detroit imposed its will at times at the line of scrimmage.
“That’s what happens when good coverage marries good rush,” pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson said postgame. “Today was that.”
GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 22, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
Jackson found success through the air early, but by the second half the Lions had him off rhythm. Even when he tried to scramble, they contained him, sacking him seven times.
“Those guys were very disciplined,” Campbell said. “We didn’t have anybody jumping up in the air, diving — ill-advised diving. They all bottled him up, they were disciplined, and guys made huge plays. And he had nowhere to go.”
It was a striking scene — the Ravens (1-2) getting bullied on their own field, suffering just their fourth loss in 26 prime-time home games under coach John Harbaugh.
Detroit Offense Was Dominant With Long Drives
The Detroit offense was even more impressive. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery each found the end zone twice, and the Lions muscled their way to victory.
Detroit put together touchdown marches of 98 and 96 yards against a Baltimore defensive front missing lineman Nnamdi Madubuike, which struggled to match the Lions’ physicality.
“I just thought it was an outstanding team effort, man. I was proud of the players, I was proud of the coaches,” Campbell said. “It’s just a huge win.”
Clinging to a 31-24 lead at the two-minute warning, Detroit sealed the moment by converting a fourth-and-2 at its own 49, as Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for 20 yards.
“I got a tremendous amount of trust in those guys, and that’s been built up now in five years,” Campbell said.
Montgomery sealed it with a 31-yard touchdown run at the 1:42 mark, finishing with 151 rushing yards on the night. The Lions outrushed Ravens and Derrick Henry by a margin of 224 to 85.
When Gibbs and Montgomery weren’t gashing the Ravens on the groundGoff took advantage of ample protection to pick apart the defense as Detroit marched downfield.
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